Tech Briefs
Sanden Technical Center
Sanden has opened a new technical center - which includes a wind tunnel - in Bad Nauheim, Germany. The center will function as the company's primary testing, research, and development center in Europe, where it operates as a subsidiary of Sanden, a manufacturer of automotive air-conditioning compressors headquartered in Japan.
 Sanden's new German technical center includes a climatic wind tunnel that can simulate wind, humidity, and full-spectrum solar loads. |
The new technical center, which is located near Frankfurt, is capable of testing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for all types of vehicles. The facility features a climatic wind tunnel that the company regards as the most technically advanced of its type in the world. The environmental chamber can control temperature and humidity, solar load, and wind speed. It has dual chassis dynamometers and can simulate a range of driving conditions for the test of HVAC systems. Fuel consumption and emissions also can be measured.
The climatic wind tunnel operates from 50 to +40°C (-58 to +104°F) at speeds to 160 km/h (100 mph) and humidity levels to 95%. Solar simulation ranges are from 0.3 to 1.2 kW/m2. The dynamometers can cope with front-, rear-, and four-wheel-drive configurations. A separate noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) chamber can measure these effects in relation to air-conditioning systems. System and compressor calorimeters at the technical center offer a controlled environment for performance testing of individual components.
A particular focus at the new technical center will concern compressor development and future technology. According to Sanden, environmental commitment and an emphasis on fuel savings will be integral parts of research and development at the facility, as will the development of systems for electric cars, low-noise systems, the elimination of CFCs, and the development of alternative refrigerants.
The company also has extended its manufacturing plant in Tinteniac, France. The plant has been expanded to more than 40,000 m2 (430,560 ft2) and will have a capacity of four million compressors per annum by 2002.
- Stuart Birch
Brembo and SKF braking together
SKF and Brembo are developing a new brake-by-wire system for high-performance vehicles. SKF's expertise centers on bearings, linear actuators and sensors, seals, and high-power density actuators for drive-by-wire applications. Brake specialist Brembo has been developing brake-by-wire technology for more than three years and has specific experience in the design of a very efficient linear actuator.
Brake-by-wire is regarded as one of the major technological advances likely to affect the auto industry in the coming decade, with the ability to dispense with complex and heavy hydraulic systems.
- Stuart Birch
Visteon's virtual performance testing
 Visteon has introduced a virtual performance-testing laboratory to reduce the entire vehicle design and development process.  Engineers at Visteon's Visualization and Simulation Laboratory combine computer-aided engineering (CAE) and virtual reality simulation.  Visteon's UPV (Unified Parametric Vehicle) simulation technology assesses system performance to achieve optimum airflow, reduce weight, lower emissions, and improve fuel economy. |
Visteon Corp. is taking testing to a new level with the introduction of a virtual performance-testing laboratory aimed at reducing the entire vehicle design and development process. The Troy, MI-based Visualization and Simulation Laboratory combines leading-edge computer-aided engineering (CAE) and virtual reality simulation that can take Visteon customers through the entire vehicle design and development process from concept to manufacturing - all in real time.
"Through our full-scale virtual interaction lab, Visteon customers can observe and make instant adjustments at every stage of the design and development process," said John Barkley, Director of Advanced Technology, Cross Systems Development at Visteon. "This innovative virtual process eliminates months of design and development work, which helps to save time and money, while significantly accelerating the entire design/development process."
To bring this lab to life, Visteon partnered with Electronic Data Systems (EDS) to combine the synergies of its advanced technologies with EDS' virtual reality expertise. The virtual analytical tools employed at the facility are state-of-the-art, including GENPAD (Generic Ergonomically Nimble Parametric Automated Design), a first-of-its-kind, 3-D solid modeling, knowledge-based computer tool used by the company to quickly explore the customization of many different automotive interiors. As a primary step in designing automotive interiors, GENPAD is used to evaluate the impact of human factors on products such as vision/reflection, reach, steering wheel blockage of instrumentation, passenger comfort, and occupant safety.
Other technologies at the new lab include Vehicle Systems Thermal Management (VSTM) and Unified Parametric Vehicle (UPV). VSTM software combines a systems integration approach and innovative analytical tools to design climate systems that maximize occupant comfort and safety as well as identify opportunities to conserve energy throughout the vehicle. The simulation technology has been instrumental in designing smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient systems and components.
 Visteon's GENPAD is a 3-D solid modeling tool that measures over 50 human machine interfaces. It uses an extensive database of ergonomic studies and a library of standard instrument panel subsystems to enable the design of a more comfortable interior. |
 VSTM (Vehicle Systems Thermal Management) software from Visteon is used to design climate systems to maximize occupant comfort and safety, and conserve energy throughout the vehicle. |
UPV software applications can create virtual models of engine thermal management and passenger comfort systems that accurately predict real-world performance in advance of prototype builds - greatly reducing system development time and cost. UPV simulations are executed to assess system performance with the purpose of reducing weight, lowering emissions, and improving fuel economy.
- Jean L. Broge
